June cargo traffic data shows growth in every region but Africa

Global air cargo traffic increased 8.5% year over year in June despite uncertain conditions in the Middle East caused by the Iran war. Traffic increased YoY in every region but Africa, which saw a 7.1% contraction in capacity. [caption id="attachment_57298514" align="aligncenter" width="624"] (Courtesy/IATA)[/caption] More broadly, global international traffic — measured in cargo tonne-kilometers — rose 9.6% YoY in June, while capacity — measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers — increased 4.4% YoY domestically and 4.9% YoY internationally. “Anecdotally, my clients are telling me that big tech is investing massive amounts, something like trillions of dollars, in data center infrastructure, which is driving massive equipment shipments at present,” Tom Crabtree, managing director at consultancy Transport Research Advisory, told Cargo Facts . The value of air cargo shipments relative to ocean freight has increased considerably in the past two to three months as the cost of shipping an average from about $2,000 in April to more than $4,500 in July, he added. “Air freight became a much better value in the second quarter of 2026 than it had been for some time,” Crabtree said. Meanwhile, demand in June grew faster than global trade, supported by high-value tech products and time-critical shipments, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said in a July 29 release. “While this all gives strong reasons for optimism in the second half of 2026, risks remain — continuing hostilities in the Middle East and a renewed focus on tariffs by the U.S. among them,” he said. Walsh today assumed the role of CEO at Indian carrier IndiGo. Trade lane performance Trade lane performance continued to see a stark division in June. Although most regions saw modest to significant growth, those connected to the Middle East contracted. Africa-Asia grew 0.9%, the twelfth consecutive month of growth; Asia-North America grew 14.7%, the fifth consecutive month of growth; Europe-Asia grew 7.1%, the fortieth consecutive month of growth; Europe-Middle East decreased 41.1%, the fourth consecutive month of contraction; Europe-North America was flat, the first consecutive month without change; Middle East-Asia decreased 4.1%, the fourth consecutive month of contraction; and Within Asia grew 7.2%, the thirty-second consecutive month of growth. External factors The IATA report highlighted external factors affecting cargo traffic: Global trade increased 5.2% YoY; Jet fuel prices fell by 20% month over month in June, but remained 45.8% above year-earlier prices; and Global manufacturing activity remained reliable in June, while exports slackened. Air cargo growth was driven by specific trade flows rather than a broad-based increase in global exports. Cargo Facts Symposium 2026, the premier event for the freighter aircraft and air cargo industries, will take place in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 21-23. Find out more and register by Sept. 4 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

June cargo traffic data shows growth in every region but Africa

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